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The 38 Essential New York Restaurants

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Here, now and in full is the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, “Can you recommend a restaurant…” This highly elite group, which dates way back the halcyon days of 2005, covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines and, collectively, satisfies all of your restaurant needs, save for those occasions when you absolutely must spend half a paycheck. Over time, the Eater 38 will change, with new restaurants joining as others fall off, but we'll keep the total number steady at 38. The only hard and fast rule of engagement is that a restaurant must be open at least six months to qualify for inclusion on the list, though strong consideration is given to neighborhood favorites over fancier destination spots. And so, without further ado—and in no particular order—here is the Eater 38.

Rather than a stage-4 meltdown over our having excluded your favorite restaurant from the list, wouldn't it be more productive to just nominate it for inclusion?

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Locanda Verde

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Blaue Gans

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Oriental Garden Restaurant

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Little Giant

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Peasant

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Balthazar

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Raoul's Restaurant

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Blue Ribbon Brasserie

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Lupa Osteria Romana

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Momofuku Ssam Bar

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Ippudo NY

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Minetta Tavern

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Spotted Pig

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Little Owl

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Barbuto

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Strip House New York

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15 East Restaurant

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Socarrat Paella Bar

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Gramercy Tavern

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Esca Restaurant

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Sushi Yasuda

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Chin Chin

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Convivio Restaurant

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Le Bilboquet

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JG Melon Restaurant

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Maz Mezcal Mexican Restaurant

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Nougatine

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Gennaro Restaurant

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Dinosaur Barbecue

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Roberta's

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Fette Sau

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Vinegar Hill House

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Frankie's 457

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Al Di La

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Sripraphai Thai Restaurant

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Sapori D'Ischia

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Locanda Verde

Blaue Gans

Oriental Garden Restaurant

Little Giant

Peasant

Balthazar

Raoul's Restaurant

Blue Ribbon Brasserie

Lupa Osteria Romana

Momofuku Ssam Bar

Ippudo NY

Minetta Tavern

Spotted Pig

Little Owl

Barbuto

Related Maps

Strip House New York

15 East Restaurant

Socarrat Paella Bar

Gramercy Tavern

Co

Esca Restaurant

Sushi Yasuda

Chin Chin

Convivio Restaurant

Le Bilboquet

JG Melon Restaurant

Maz Mezcal Mexican Restaurant

Nougatine

Gennaro Restaurant

Dinosaur Barbecue

Roberta's

Fette Sau

Diner

Vinegar Hill House

Frankie's 457

Al Di La

Sripraphai Thai Restaurant

Sapori D'Ischia

Related Maps